In this post we are going to answer the question of can Bengal cats go outside? It can be a difficult decision for a Bengal cat owner to know whether or not to let their kitty outside. The short answer is, it’s great for Bengal cats to get outdoors because they are different to other breeds of cat, but there are many dangers involved.
To allow your Bengal to venture outside you will you will need to prepare and setup a number of things up beforehand. In this post on can Bengal cats go outside, we are going to cover all of the dangers of letting your Bengal outside and how to eliminate them with the correct preparation.
The Dangers Of Your Bengal Cat Going Outdoors
Allowing your Bengal cat to venture outdoors without any kind of plan or consideration could end in disaster very quickly. Let’s take a look at the danger of allowing your Bengal cat outside.
#1 Your Bengal cat can run away
Cats are very fast, athletic creatures at the best of times who can climb high fences and walls with ease. When you combine that with the fact that Bengal cats are very adventurous and one of the smartest cats on the planet, it only takes a moment for your furry friend to run away. The way to prevent this is with a cat garden (more on this later).
#2 Another animal can injure your Bengal cat
The more time your Bengal spends outside, the higher the chances that at some point it’s going to get into a fight with another animal. Coyotes, rabid raccoons or even dogs could injure or even worse, kill your Bengal cat.
#3 They may catch a disease or infection
As mentioned previously, Bengal cats are adventurous creates who are very curious over everything. The trouble with this is it can lead your kitty to be vulnerable to catching a disease or infection. This is easily done if they are trying to eat rotten food or poisonous plants, or they may even get scratched by a nail or tree bark which can cause infection.
#4 Someone may try to steal or harm your Bengal cat
Bengal cats are very beautiful and exotic looking creatures. The fact that they are so rare and also very expensive means that there is a high risk somebody will harm or steal your Bengal.
#5 Can reduce the lifespan of your Bengal
After looking at some of the points mentioned so far, it’s pretty obvious that letting your Bengal cat outside will reduce their lifespan. Domestic cats who live indoors have a lifespan of around 12 – 18 years, with some even living until their early 20’s. Keeping your cat indoors offers a much more secure environment with far less hazards.
#Benefits of Taking Your Bengal Cat Outdoors
So far we have looked at why you shouldn’t allow your Bengal cat outside because of all of the potential risks and hazards. Lets now take a look at the other side of the argument and explain the benefits of taking your Bengal cat outdoors.
- Playful nature: Bengal cats are very playful and energetic and need to burn off all of their energy. Your house can not allow them to do this.
- Love of outdoors: As Bengal cats are a hybrid breed between a wild Asian Leopard and a domestic cat, they naturally love the outdoors due to their personality traits taken from their Asian Leopard parent. This is why Bengals make great family pets because they love playing games with in the garden.
- Space: Bengal cats are very agile creatures who love to hunt and play. The space of the outdoors will allow them to do this.
- Boredom: As Bengals are one of the smartest cats on the planet, they become bored very easily which can lead to behavioural problems. Allowing them to play outdoors will eliminate any kind of naughtiness and keep them happy.
#Ways To Take Your Bengal Cat Outdoors
After reading the last section, it’s obvious that there are many benefits of taking your Bengal cat outside, but how do you do this safely? Here’s a couple of ways you can provide your Bengal with some fun outdoor time in a safe manner.
#1 Walking your Bengal cat on a leash
A Bengal on a leash is not allowing them to have full freedom to roam and explore, but it is by far the safest way of taking them outdoors without the fear of them running away or getting injured. It allows them to explore the outdoors and burn off all of their energy.
Leash training does require training but as Bengals are very intelligent creatures, it shouldn’t take long to fully train them. For a full guide on how to do this, check out this article on our site called How To Leash Train a Bengal Cat.
#2 Build a cat garden
If you have a fenced yard then it’s a great idea to build a cat garden. It’s basically a cat-proof garden that your Bengal can play in, but it prevents them from escaping the garden. The basic concept is to use mesh to cover any gaps or openings that your cat may escape from, but also allows them to still see through the mesh.
Here are some other things you will need for your cat garden:
Cat Tree: Kitty City Claw Mega Kit Cat Furniture
This Kitty City Claw Mega Kit Cat Furniture is an amazing choice for your Bengal. No only is it very large which allows your Bengal more room to play, it also features a changeable design to prevent them from getting bored as well as scratching posts.
Click here for more information on the Kitty City Claw Mega Kit Cat Furniture
A Selection Of Cat Toys:
A big selection of cat toys for your Bengal is an absolute essential! Bengal cats are very intellectual creatures who get bored very easily if there isn’t anything to do. Having a good selection of interactive toys will allow them to play for hours and prevent boredom as well as an behaviour issues. Here’s some top picks:
CO-Z Collapsible Cat Tunnel
Cat Amazing – Best Cat Toy Ever! Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Feeder for Cats
The Ripple Rug
#Things to consider if you decide to let your cat free roam
If you are going to allow your Bengal cat outside, as well as creating a cat-proof garden, there are also a number of other things you will need to consider:
- Don’t let them out until they are at least 6 months old.
- Make sure they are neutered.
- Ensure they have had all of their vaccinations.
- Get your Bengal micro chipped.
- Keep them indoors when in gets dark.
#What to do if Your Bengal Becomes Lost
If you follow the guidelines we have recommended so far, then this will reduce any chances of you losing your Bengal cat. If they do somehow get lost, here’s what you can do:
- Start by shaking a packet of food when you first notice they are missing.
- After a few hours, try searching your local area just encase they have become trapped somewhere.
- Try your neighbours houses. A lot of cats have a habit of wondering into other people’s houses.
- If they still haven’t appeared by the next morning, put some posters up around your local area.
#Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this post and that it has now answered your question of can Bengal cats go outside? You should now have a better understanding of what to do to allow your Bengal outside in the safest way possible.
